Perforating and slotting punch



I K. J- BRAUN PERFORATING AND SLOTTING PUNCH June 23, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 17, 1948 FIG. I

INVENTOR.

KARL J. BRAUN ATTORNFY June 23, 1953 K. J. BRAUN PERFORATING AND SLOTTING PUNCH 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1948 WN/QW W mm mm Wm M ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 K. J. BRAUN PERFORATING AND SLOTTING Puma 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 17. 1948 INVENTOR B. J w

A Ky Y E N R O T T A Filed July 17, 1948 s Sheet-Sheet 4 June 23, 1953 K. J. BRAUN 2,642,940

PERFORATING AND SLOTTING PUNCH KARL J. BRAUN BY )1 1., 11.11.

ATTORNEY K'. J. BRAUN PERFORATING AND SLOTTING PUNCH June 23, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 17, 1948 mmvron. v KARLJ. BRAUN BY Liz/L4 ATTORNEY June 23, 1953 K. J. BRAUN 2,642,940

PERFORATING A ND SLOTTING PUNCH Filed July 17, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 o 90 I80 -21o 360 so CARD SHIFTING CARD DOWN PUNCH ACTUATI NG TRIP TRIP HELD MECHANISM KEY BOARD RETR ACT MOTOR CIRCUIT UEIIDUDDIIIDCIDDDD FIG. 9 FIGIIO ]NVENTOR. KARL J. B RAUN HL L 1121;;

ATTORNEY .with a code.

Patented June 23, 1953 PERFORATING AND SLOTTING PUNCH Karl J. Braun, Glenbrook, Conn., assignor to Remington Rand Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 17, 1948, Serial No. 39,275

18 Claims.

be known as sequence sorting and is described in Patent 2,342,517 to D. A. Nevin. As seen therein, data is efliciently and simply entered in record cards which, through the use of various types of needling selectors, are readily adapted to be sorted according to common data therein.

A number of devices are on the market for codifying data and entering same in a record card by notching out card perforations. However, certain of such devices require the use of cards which have been peripherally perforated in their manufacture, thus limiting the indexing systems employing said devices to the use of standard or pre-punched cards.

Also, cards of particular sizes are necessarily used in some others of said devices. are adaptable to operate on cards of varied sizes only when special adjusting means are employed.

Therefore, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a device which obviates the prerequisite use of standard or pre-punched cards and is, therefore, operable on any file of record cards, to render them employable in the above mentioned sorting system or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for operating on record card edges of varied lengths without mechanical adjustments being made to said device. 'In addition to adapting the device to operations on the contiguous edges of cards of a particular size, this provision readily adapts the device to like operations on cards of varied sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means for plurally perforating a record card adjacent an edge, and for subsequently notching out the material between certain of said perforations and the card edge in accordance In this manner data is easily entered in a record card, and in such form it is readily sortable.

Still others the perforating and notching means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device adapted to gang punch a card first, and to subsequently notch a card in accordance with a full keyboard set-up of the data to be entered in said card. Thus, due to the fact that an operator more readily senses set-up errors and can eliminate same in the present device before they are entered in a card, operational errors and card wastage are lessened. Also, the adaptation of gang punching therein is a desirable time saving feature.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a means for looking a set-up in the keyboard, in order to effect a repetitious operation in accordance with a previous setup. It will be obvious that such a provision is desirous when identical data is to be entered in a number of cards.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of disabling means for selectively rendering ineffective any portion or portions of This provision assures no operation in the card columns or fields other than those being intentionally utilized and, thereby, lessens the possibility of operational error.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a'device capable of concomitantly operating on a plurality of cards, a decided time Fig. 1 is a general plan view of the machine which illustrates the relative locations of the various mechanisms and a preferred arrangement of the keys, and includes a fragmentary view of the keyboard for indicating the disposition of the various elements thereof;

Fig. 2 is a right hand side view of the machine illustrating the arrangement of the several controlling and operating mechanisms;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the machine taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows for illustrating the arrangement of certain of the punch effecting mechanisms;

Fig. 4 is'an isometric view of a group of code slides for illustrating the manner in which they are positionable by certain of their related keys to cooperate with corresponding bell-cranks;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the double revolution clutch controlling mechanism for demonstrating the manner in which the trip mechanism holds the clutch engaged and the motor circuit unbroken for two rotations of the drive shaft;

Fig. 5A is an isometric view of the second bail lever;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 66 in Fig. 2 for indicating the relative positions of the various stub and transverse shafts;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary isometric view of the shifting mechanism and illustrates the mechanical and operational relationship existing between the bail and the card stop plate;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic chart indicating the approximate time relationship between the various mechanisms during the operational period devoted to each card;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary face view of an index card of the type employable in the present machine, illustrating card edges which have received machine operations; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary'face view of aprepared index card of the type usuallyemployed in the present machine, and also illustrates card edges which have received machine operations.

As seen 'in the drawing, and particularly in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the device is provided with a base plate I 6, to which are rigidly secured left and right keyboard frames 1 l and i2, respectively, and'left and right side members i3 and I4, respectively. A keyboa-rd assembly I5, which will be described in detail hereinafter, is suitably mounted between said frames l and I2 and'is at :5

an angle of inclination favorable 'tothe operation thereof, and a die section It is secured at either of its ends to the side members 13 and I4. Now with particular reference to Figs. '2, 3, and 6, it is seen that a stub clutch shaft I! and a stub cam shaft it are rotatably mounted in the right side member I4, and a punch mechanism shaft l9 and a shifting mechanism shaft '20, which are transverse, are similarly mounted in the side members It and M.

The keyboard assembly 15, as best seenin Figs. 1 and 2, comprises-twelve columns, each of which has eleven keys 2! with the indicia one through nine representing numeric values, an R for Release, and an L for Looking. A description of but one column'will herein sufiice, since the twelve mentioned columns are identical in construction.

As taught in the aforementioned patent, four index card positions may be evaluated as 7,

4, 2, and '1', and singularly or incombinations maybe utilized for the recording of numeric data. Therefore, as shown in Figs, 1, 3, and 4, each keyboard column of the present machine is provided with a complement of four code slides 22, hereinafter referred'to as #7, #4, #2, and #1, whichslides are slidably mounted for to and fro movement between a forward comb plate 23 and a rearward comb plate 24 to cooperate with bellcranks 2-5. Resilient means, which will be described in .detail hereinafter .tend to .hold all of said slides 22 in their most forward and ineffective position with respect to the belt-cranks 25. Each code slide 22 is configured to provide eleven cam lugs 27 on its upper side having camsurfaces 28 thereon and an abutting lug 29 .on its lower side. The majority of the lugs 2! are further shaped to provide recesses 30 therein, whereas certain of said lugs arenot. As will bebestseen in Fig. 4, the #1 slide is formed with the recesses 30 in all of the cam lugs 21 with the exception of those related to the Release, 1, 3, "5, and "8 keys; the #2 slide has said recesses 30 in all cam lugs 21 with the exception of those related to the Release, 3, 6, and 9 keys; the #4 slide has recesses 30 in all cam lugs 21 with the exception of those related to the Release, 4, 5, and .6 keys, while the #7 slide has recesses 39 in all of its cam lugs 2! with the exception of those related to the Release, "7," 8, and 9 keys.

All of the keys 2| are similar in construction and, as shown in Figs. 3 and l, are provided with bent over portions 3|, which portions are suffi- ..ciently wide to cooperate with the cam surfaces of any key 2| will initially motivate rearwardly all four code slides -22 related thereto.

Further. it will be apparent that, should a portion3l encounter cam lug recesses 30 in all four related slides, all of said slides will be returned to the normally ineffective position by the above mentioned and hereinafter 'to'be described resilient means, and will thereby lock the key down. However, should said portion 3! encounter any cam lugs 2'! not having recesses 30 therein, the slides 22 related thereto will be maintained in a rearward effective position against'the tension of said resilient means, while those having recesses will be returned and will effect the'locking down of the key.

In more detail, and with particular reference to Fig. 4, the operation of the nine key causes the #2 and the #7 code slides to be maintained in their rearward effective positions, the remaining slides being restored to normal and locking the nine key down. If the two key had been operated the #2 code slide would have been maintained in its forward position. It is believed unnecessary to describe further the numeric key operations, since it is apparent that the remaining ones of said keys merel render effective the code slides singularly or combinationally in a manner identical to that hereinabove described. When the above mentioned Locking" key "L" is operated, the bent over portion 3| thereon will encounter four cam lug recesses 30 and will lock thereunder. A finger 3 3 on said Locking key extending below the plane of the code slides 22 is provided to cooperate with a slide retracting mechanism to disable said mechanism, and thereby permit repetitious operation on a particular keyboard set-up. Operation details concerning the Looking key will hereinafter follow in connection with the description of said slide retracting mechanism.

The Release key R is adapted upon operation to motivate rearwardly all four code slides in the column pertaining thereto, and will release all previously operated and consequently held down keys in said column, including the Locking key. Thus, a machine operator may operate the Release" key to both wipe out an erroneous keyboard set-up and to eliminate locked-in data by rendering the Looking key ineffective.

A shaft 34, 'as seen in Figs. 3, 4, and 6, is suitably mounted at the rearward end of the aforesaid keyboard assembly 15, and carries loose 'any other controlling means. Said bell-crank 36 is utilized in effecting the punching of a card lifting or handling hole in all cards, and is not used for data entering purposes. The manner in which said punching is effected is identical to the simultaneous perforating of the edge of all cards, which is to be explained hereinafter. Therefore, no further reference shall be herein made to the independent bell-crank 36 as such. Each of the bell-cranks 25 is provided with an appendant arm and a rearwardly extending. arm, and in operation the rearward motivation of one of the aforementioned code slides, in consequence of a key operation, rocks the appendant arm: of

its corresponding set bell-crank 25 counter-clockwise, thereby raising the rearwardly extending arm to an effective position.

The die section l6 (Figs. 2 and 3), which ex- .tends the width'of the device, is made in four pieces, and is suitably secured as an assembly to the left and right side members l3 and I4. Both the forward and rear die pieces 39 and 40, respectively, are slotted, said slots being aligned with the aforementioned bell-cranks 25. A forward upper bar 4| is affixed to the forward die piece 39, forming guide holes 42 to receive and guide therein punch elements 43.

Also attached to the forward upper bar 4|, and partially obstructing the guide holes 42, is a retaining plate 44 for retaining the punch elements 43 in said guide holes 42 in a manner to be hereinafter described. A rear upper bar 45 is similarly secured to the rear die piece 4|] and completes a die for the above mentioned punch elements 43. In this particular embodiment the forward die piece 39 and the rearward die piece 4|] are preferably secured together at their ends by machine screws 46 (Figs. 1 and 2). The arrangement of the elements comprising the die section I6 is such that a card chamber 41 is provided for receivin the lower edges of the card or cards to be operated on. An abutment or side gage 26 fixed to the left hand extremes of the upper die pieces 4| and 45 (Figs. 1 and 3) limits transverse movement in one direction of 'said card or cards to insure the proper perforating and slotting operations thereon. It shall be clear that a suitable card engaging abutment may be provided on a machine cover for the present device, not herein shown instead of on the said die pieces 49 and 45.

Now, as is indicated in Fig. 3, the forward portions of the punch elements 43 are suitably formed to slide freely in the guide holes 42 and are each formed with a head 48 and a shoulder 49. As the drawing shows, a punching operation consists of advancing the punch elements 43 through a card and thereafter returning them. The heads 48 are adapted to be engaged by the punch actuator, as will be described, in order'that a return movement may be imparted to the punch elements 43. The return movement is limited and the elements are retained in their guide holes 42 by the abutment of the shoulder 49 with the retaining plate 44.

As best seen in Fig. 6, the clutch stub shaft I! is mounted in the right side member M and counter-clockwise direction 6 is driven by an electric motor 50, to which it'is connected by suitable speed reduction gearing 5|. A transformer 52 is provided to adapt the present device for use with various voltages. With reference to Fig. 2, it is seen that atoothed clutch disc 53 is fast on the stub shaft |'l which extends through the right side member l4. Loosely mounted on the stub shaft I1 and just inside of the disc 53 is a clutch plate 54 upon which is pivotally mounted a pawl 55, having a nose 56, which pawl is cooperable with said disc 53. A sprin 51, tensioned between the clutch plate 54 and the pawl 55, urges said pawl in a into engagement with the clutch disc 53. However, the pawl 55 is normally held in the disengaged position shown in Fig. 2 by a forwardly extending arm 58 of a three armed bail lever 59 formed as shown in Fig. 5, and pivotally mounted as at 69 to the side member l4. A second arm 6| of the bail lever 59 extends forwardly and is formed with a pair of steps 62 and 63 at its forward end, adapted to engage a toe 64 on an appendant arm 65 of a second bail lever, formed as shown in Fig. 5A, which straddles the side member l4 and pivots on a pin 61. Formed on arm 65 is a bail 66 having an appendant arm 18. A spring 68, connecting the bail 66 and the arm 58, urges said bail 65--6618 in a clockwise direction, and in the normal stopped condition of the machine the toe 64 of the appendant arm 65 is positioned in the step 62 of the arm 6 A bail shaped lever 69 having a hooked end 10 also straddles the side member |4, pivots on the pin 61, and lies under the bail 66 to which it is resiliently connected by a spring The lever 69 has secured to its bail portion a spring metal electrical contact 12 cooperable with a pair of contacts 13 mounted on side member |4 forming a part of the motor circuit. In normal position the contacts 12 and T3 are open.

If, however, the second bail lever is permitted to rock clockwise under the influence of the spring 68, the bail 66 thereon will act upon the lever 69 and the contacts l2 and 13 will close, thereby starting the motor 56 and rotating the clutch disc 53. The motor 50 will continue to run as'long as the circuit remains unbroken.

Bail lever 59 is formed with a third arm 14 (Fig. 2) which is upstanding and is connected to a forwardly extending link 15. The link 15 is moved forwardly when it is desired to start the machine, thereby rocking the arm 6| of bail lever 59 in a counter-clockwise direction. This move ment permits the toe 64 of said appendant arm 65 to move under influence of spring 68 into the second step 63 of arm 6|. As previously mentioned, the arm 58 of the above bail lever 59'normally holds the pawl 55 disengaged, and it will be seen that the counter-clockwise rocking of .said bail lever 59, in addition to starting the motor 50 and the rotation of the clutch disc 53,

will also permit the pawl 55 to engage the teeth of said clutch disc 53, thereby causing the clutch plate 54, upon which the pawl is mounted, to rotate with the disc. The direction of rotation of the clutch disc 53 and the clutch plate 54 is 65 of the second bail lever. In the normal position of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 2, the bar TI is positioned just below and to the right of the cam nose I6 and, as the second bail lever '6566'I8 moves clockwise to start the machine, said bar moves forwardly to a spot just beneath the cam nose I5. Now, near the end of every cycle of the clutch plate 54, the nose 16 contacts the bar 77, and thereby rocks the second bail lever rearwardly in a counter-clockwise direction. Through spring II the lever 69 is urged to rock counter-clockwise also, which would break the motor circuit and return arm 58 to normal under tension of the spring 68. However, since the present embodiment of the invention is adapted to be operated on two complete cycles, the above mentioned tripping mechanism, which will be described hereinafter, provides means for maintaining the bail lever 59 in its counterclockwise position after the first cycle. manner the arm 58 is prevented from returning to normal and a second cycle is immediatel initiated. Also, as can be best seen in Fig, 5, the upwardly extending arm 14 of the bail lever 59 is formed with a nose 39 which, when said lever is in its counter-clockwise position, is adapted to cooperate with a roller 59 on the lever 99. With this arrangement the rearward movement of the second bail lever 6569-l'8, caused by the action of the cam nose it and the bar I1, acts I only to stretch the spring II, and the motor circuit is not broken.

Affixed to the clutch plate 54 is a drive gear 80 for driving an idler gear 8! which in turn drives a gear 92 keyed to the aforementioned cam shaft I8. Said gear 92 is in a one to two ratio with the drive gear 80 and, therefore, the cam shaft I8 completes one revolution for every two revolutions of the clutch shaft I I.

At the right side of the keyboard assembly I (Figs. 1 and 2) is a trip key 83 having a downwardly extending arm 84, slidably connected to the right keyboard frame I2 by a pin and slot connection 85. The lowermost end of the arm 84 is pivotally connected to a forwardly extending arm of a bell-crank 81, the other arm of which is connected to the aforementioned link 15. Adjustably secured to the link I5 is an L- shaped member 89 which carries on its upright arm a roller'89 adapted to cooperate with a trip cam 90 keyed to the cam shaft I8.

With the above description in mind, and with particular reference to Figs. 2 and 5,'it will be apparent that the operation of the trip key 8-3 will rock the bail lever59 counter-clockwise to start the motor 50 and permit the pawl 55 to engage the clutch disc 53, thereby initiating a' first machine cycle. Also, it will be seen that the roller 89, which normally rests on a low dwell of the trip cam 90 will ride upon the high portion and thereby hold the bail lever 59 in its counterclockwise position. As was explained hereinabove, the cam shaft IB to which the trip cam 90 is keyed rotates once for every two revolutions of the clutch shaft I1. Therefore, the bail lever 59 will'be held in its counter-clockwise position until well after a second machine cycle has begun. Near the end of said second machine cycle the roller 89 will again ride on the low dwell 9!, permitting the release of the pawl 55 and the breaking of the motor circuit to stop the machine (Fig. 8).

A punch actuating mechanism is provided for impelling the aforesaid punch elements 43 through a record card and withdrawing them In this 8 therefrom. This mechanism, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises left and right hand bell-cranks 92 and 93, respectively, located outside of the side members I3 and I4 and fixedly secured to the ends of the punch mechanism shaft I9 mounted in said side members. A transverse channel 94 is secured at its ends to the upwardly extending arms 95 and 96 of said bell-cranks 92 and 93. Secured between said arms is a transverse bar 91 to which is attached a comb plate 98 and a slotted plate I00. The slots in plates 98 and I00 correspond in number with the code slides 22, are vertically aligned with respect to each other, and are positioned to lie directly over the previously described bell-cranks 25. interponents I02, having rearwardly extending arms I03 and limiting shoulders I04, are slidably mounted in said comb 98 and slotted plate I00 and due to the length of the slots in said plate I00, a considerable amount of play exists between said interponents and said slots. As best seen in Fig. 3, weak springs I05 resiliently connect the rearwardly extending arms I03 with the comb plate 98 and thereby urge the interponents I02 to engage the bell-cranks 25 and thus provide the resilient means whereby the said code slides 22 are urged to their normally ineffective positions. The limiting shoulders I04 are adapted to engage the comb 98 to thus determine the downward extent to which the springs I05 may urge the interponents I 02. Suitably mounted at the under side of the transverse channel 94 is a U-shaped comb member IOI in which is positioned a shaft I06 carrying loose thereon setting levers I01 equal in number to the interponents I02, and disposed in said comb so as to be associated with said interponents. The setting levers I01 are provided with shoulders H0 and III to permit their being positioned in effective and ineffective relation with the interponents I02. Detent springs II2 are further provided to cooperate with the shoulders H0 and III for holding the setting levers in either their effective or ineffective settings. It will be seen that in operation said setting levers I01 may be manipulated to selectively render the interponents I02 effective or ineffective, thus controlling the operations of the corresponding punch elements 43. In an effective setting (Fig. 3) the rear of said setting levers I01 are engageable With raised interponents I02 upon the clockwise rocking of the bell-cranks 92 and 93 and a rearward movement of the transverse channel 94. This engagement and movement effects the pushing of the related punch elements 43 through'a card in the chamber". When any of said setting levers I01 are set to be ineffective, the rear ends thereof are raised and incapable of engagement with related raised interponents I02 during a rearward movement of the channel 94. If an interponent is unintentionally raised in a column in which the setting lever is in its ineffective position, the rearward movement of the channel 94 causes said interponent to engage the related punch elements 43. However, as a result of the aforementioned play existing between said interponents and the slot in the plate I00 and the weakness of the springs I05, further rearward movement of the channel 94 serves only to pivot said interponent counter-clockwise and to stretch the related spring I05 without pushing the related punch elements 43 through the card. In this manner a machine operator may manually select the columns in which it is desired that punching be permitted by disabling all others.

To an appendant arm of bell-crank 92 (Figs. 3 and 6) is pivotally connected a horizontal link II4, the forward end of which is connected by a pin II5 to a. lever I I6 loose on a transverse shaft II1 fitted in the side members I3 and I4. An adjustable dog H8 is fastened to the left end of the shaft I I1 and is also connected by the pin II5 to the lever II6. At the right side of the machine and pivotally connected to an appendant arm of the bell-crank 93 (Fig. 2) is a second horizontal link I20, the forward end of which is connected by a pin I2I to a downwardly extending arm I22 of a bell-crank I23 loose on the shaft II1. Also, connected by the pin I2I to the arm I22, is a second dog I24 adjustably fastened on the right end of the shaft H1. The rearwardly extending arm of the bell-crank I23 is provided with an elongated slot I25 in which fits a stud I26 afiixed to the hereinabove mentioned clutch plate 54. The just described arrangement, and more particularly the provision of the adjustable dogs IIB and I24, affords a convenient and efficient means for the adjustment of clearances in the punch actuating mechanism.

As previously explained, the clutch plate 54 completes two rotationsbefore the declutching thereof and, in consequence of the stud 26 riding in the slot I25 and because of the above arrangement of elements, the shaft I9 will be twice oscillated. With reference to Fig. 3, it will be seen that an oscillation of the shaft I9 rocks bell-cranks 92 and 93 which carry the setting levers I01 and interponents I02. It will also be seen that if an interponent I02 were raised between a corresponding effectively set setting lever I01 and a punch element 43, the clockwise rotation of bell-cranks 92 and 93 would result in said element 43 being pushed past the'cutting edge formed by the die piece 40 and the bar 45. The subsequent counter-clockwise rotation would then cause a wall I21 of the channel 94 to engage the shoulder 48 of the punch element 43 to withdraw said element.

Inside of the frame member I4 and keyed to the aforementioned stub shaft I8 is a shift cam I28 (Figs. 3, 6, and 7), upon the periphery of which rides a roller I29 carried on an arm I30 of an upper lever I3I fast on a shaft I32, and a roller I33 carried on an arm I34 of a lower lever I35 fast on a shaft I36. The forward ends of said levers I3I and I35 are pivotally connected as at I31 and I38 to a vertical link I39, having a stud I40. At the left hand side of the machine there is an arrangement of elements similar to that just described and includes an upper arm I4I fast on the shaft I32, a lower arm I42 fast on the shaft I36, and a vertical link I43 pivotally connected therebetween and having a stud I44. The aforementioned shifting mechanism shaft 20 has secured near its left end an arm I45 having a slot I46 therein for receiving the stud I44, and near its right end an arm I41 having a slot I48 therein for receiving the stud I40. Se-' cured between the free ends of the arms I45 and I41 is a bail I 49 which is adapted to cooperate with the aforementioned bell-cranks 25, in a manner to be hereinafter described. Also fast on the shaft 20, but extending rearwardly, are arms I50 and I5I having 'pivotally connected therebetween a bar I52 to which is aifixed a card stop plate I53 provided with serrations I54-in its upper edge corresponding to the notche in said die pieces 39 and 40. As seen in Fig.3, this card stop I53 is slidably mounted in a slotin the card chamber 41 and limits the extent-to which the edge of a card may be positioned in said chamber.

The operation of the shifting mechanism is such that in the starting position of the machine the arms I45 and I41 are as shown in Fig. 3,

and, as a result, the bail I69 engages the rearwardly extending arms of all the bell-cranks 25 to raise and render effective the associated interponent I62. Also, the card stop plate I53 is concomitantly in its lowermost position in the card chamber 41. These positions are maintained for half a cycle of the cam shaft I8, or as long as the lower roller I33 rides on the high dwell of the cam I28. Now, when the upper roller I29 rides on said high dwell during the second half of the cycle of cam I28, the arms I45 and I41 are caused to rock counter-clockwise lowering the bail I49 and raising the card stop plate I53 to its uppermost position in said card chamber 41.

With particular reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen'that a cam stud I55 is fixed in the wall of the gear 82, and is so located as to cooperate with an upper arm of a lever I5! pivoted as at I58 to the side member I4. Connected to the lower arm of said lever I51 is a link I59, the forward end of which is loosely fitted on a retract bail I6I. Triangular shaped levers I62 and I63 (Figs. 2, 3 and 6) are similarly fitted on the retract bail I6I just inside of the left and right side members I3 and I4, respectively, and are mounted on a transverse shaft Iii i. Just inside of the levers I62 and I63, and connected thereto by pins I65. are dog pieces I65 and I61, adjustably fast on the shaft I64. This arrangement permits both an even transmission of motion through the several elements, and adjustments thereto. Springs I68 are provided to urge said levers I62 and I63 to their most counterclockwise position. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 6, retract plates I69 are provided, one for each keyboard column to cooperate with the four code slides thereof. The forward portions of said plates I69 are formed to hold springs I10, the other ends of which are connected to hooked members I1 I, appropriately spaced on the shaft I64. This arrangement holds the abutting ends I12 of the retract plates I69 in the raised and operative position shown in Fig. 3. In operation, the aforementioned cam stud I55 cooperates with the upper arm of the lever I51 near the end of a cycle of the cam shaft I8, or near the end of a second machine cycle (Fig. 8). Thus, the lower arm is rocked in a counter-clockwise direction and, through link I60 and the bail I6I, a slight rearward movement is imparted'to all of the retract plates I69 against the tension of the springs I66 to engage the abutting lugs 29 of the code slides 22 and thereby releasing all the previously operated numeric keys. The Locking keys I13, however, provide for rendering the described retract means ineffective. As readily seen in Fig. 4, each of said Locking keys I13 has formed thereon a finger 33 extending below the code slides 22 and adapted to cooperate with its associated retract plate I69. It will be seen that the operation of a Locking key I13 depresses its corresponding retract plate I69 to an ineffective position, in which it is unable to cooperate with the abutting lugs 29 of its'related code slides 22.

The Release keys I15 (Figs. 3 and 4) are provided to release all previous key set-ups in their associated columns, including that of the Locking keys I13. The operation of one of said Release keys I15 acts to motivate rearwardly its four related codeslides 22, thus permitting the spring 32 to elevate all of the previously operated keys 2| to an inoperative position.

Summary of operations The machine operation as a whole will be described with respect to the use of but one keyboard column, since all such columns operate identically. As best shown in Fig. 4, the operation of a numeric key 2i acts to raise and hold in an effective position one or a combination of bellcranks 25. Following the keyboard set-up and the insertion of a card in the punching chamber 41, the trip key 83 is operated to complete the motor circuit and to permit the pawl 55 (Fig. 2) to engage the clutch disc 53 on the shaft I! and cause the clutch plate 54 to rotate therewith. The cam shaft [8 is suitably geared to rotate at one half the speed of said clutch plate. Therefore, a cam thereon cooperates with the roller 89 on the trip link '55 to maintain the trip mechanism operative for two machine cycles (Fig. 8).

During the first machine cycle the card shifting mechanism, which holds the aforementioned card in its punching position, is in its lowered position, and the bail Hi9 holds all of the bellcranks 25 in their raised and effective positions (Fig. 3), thus positioning the interp-onents Hi2 between the setting levers it! and the punch elements 43 The stud I26 on the clutch plate 54 and the bell-crank i23 coact to oscillate the shaft Ill and impart a rocking movement to the punch actuating mechanism. It will be seen that through the channel 94, the setting levers I? and the interponents M2, such rocking movement is suificient for advancing the whole complement of punch elements 43 through the card to punch the handling hole H6 and the perforations ill (Figs. 9 and 10) and to withdraw them therefrom.

Near the end of the first machine cycle (Fig. 8) the card shifting mechanism raises the card to a slotting position. Concurrently, the bail M9 is lowered and the only bell-cranks to remain effective during a subsequent slotting operation are those which were previously setup in the operation of the keyboard 15.

The slotting operation consists of shifting the cardand slotting out the portion I18 (Figs. 9 andlQ) of the card material between a perforation and the card edge.

is; raised. Shortly after the slotting-operation the stud I affixed to the wall of the gear 32 arrives at a point where it cooperates with the aforementioned arm of the lever I 57, slightly rocking said lever in a counter-clockwise movement. Through link I and the retract bail IEI, said rocking movement is transferred to the retract plate I69 which abuts the lugs 2e. on its associated code slides 22 and retracts the numeric set keys 2| to their normal unset positions, thereby permitting said code slides 22 to return to normal also. If, however, the corresponding Locking key I13 is in its operated position, it will be seen that the retract plate I69 shall be ineffective. It will be further seen that the Release key I15 is operable to retract all previously set keys, including the Locking key I13.

Near the end. of the second machine cycle the card shifting mechanism shifts the cardstop plate I53 to its lower or perforating position, which might be considered the normal stopping and starting position. Also, shortly thereafter and just prior to the end of the second machine.

This isaccomplished during the second machine cycle when the card.

cycle the flat dwell 9! on the. trip holding calm as comes in. contact with the rollerllfi on the trip link 15, permitting the disengagement of the clutch and the breaking of the motor circuit to stop the machine.

From the above description of the present in.- vention it is believed apparent that an efficient device has been provided for perforating a record card adjacent an edge and subsequently slotting out the material between selected ones of saidperforations and the card edge. For instance, it will be obvious that the arrangement of the elements, comprising said device may be such as to provide a selective slotting operation first, and a subsequent perforating operation, the reverse of the operations described herein.

While I have described What I consider to bea highly desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many changes in form could be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I, therefore, do not limit myself to the exact form herein shown and described, nor, to anythingv less than the whole of my in-'- vention as hereinbefore set forth, and as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Ina device of the class described, a single set of punches for perforating and for slotting file cards in separate stages, said punches being arranged for perforating, a card adjacent an edge, means for displacing. said card, and means file cards in separate stages, said punches beingarranged for simultaneously perforating a cardadjacent an edge, means for displacing said card, and key operated means for selectively rendering only certain of said punches effective simultaneously to thereby notch out the material between certain of said perforations and the card edge after the card has been displaced.

3. In a device of the class described for perforating and for slotting file cards in separate stages, the combination of a single set of punches adapted to be operated simultaneously for perforating a card adjacent one edge thereof, means for selectively rendering certain of said punches again effective simultaneously to notch out the card material between certain of said perforations and the card edge, and a card shifting means for effectively positioning said card with respect to said punches during the separate perfo'rating and slotting stages.

4. In a machine of the class described for perforating and for slotting record cards in separate stages, a single set of punches effective simultaneously during a first machine cycle for perforating a card adjacent an edge, means for' displacing said card, and key operated means for selectively rendering only certain of said punches effective simultaneously during a second machine arranged in a plurality of groups and adapted to be effective simultaneously for perforating a card adjacent an edge, means for displacing said card, and key operated means for selectively rendering only certain of said punches in any group effective simultaneously, to thereby notch out the card material between certain of said perforations and the card edge after the card has been displaced.

6., In a machine of the class described for perforating and for slotting record cards in separate stages, a single set of punch elements for perforating .a card adjacent an edge when said card is in a perforating position, a card shifting means for moving said card from said perforating position to a slotting position, key operated means for rendering certain of said punch elements effective to slot out the card material between certain of said perforations and the card edge when said card is in said slotting position, and means for retracting said keyoperated means.

\ 7. In a machine of the class described for perforating and slotting record cards, a plurality of punch elements for perforating a card adjacent an edge when said card is in a perforating position during a first machine cycle, a card shifttive to slot out the card material between certain of said perforations and the card edge during said second machine cycle, means for retracting said key-operated means at the end of said second machinecycle, and manual locking means for rendering said retracting "means ineffective.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of punching elements, a common actuating means, a plurality of pre settable members carried by said actuating means, each of said pre-settable members being related to a punching element and pre-settable to be effective or ineffective, and a plurality of interposing elements eifectively positionable between said pre-settable members and punching elements for causing the operation of those punch elements related to effectively set pre-settable members.

9. In a perforating and slotting machine of the class described for operating on record cards, the combination of a plurality of punches, a common actuating mechanism, a plurality of interposers cooperating with said actuator when effectively positioned to operate all of said punches, a common means operative for eifective'ly positioning said plurality of interposers and moving a card to one of two positions, said common means also being operative to shift said card to the other of said two positions and to be ineffective with respect to said interposers, and key-operated means for maintaining selected interposers in effective position.

10. In a perforating and slotting machine of the class described, the combination of a card shifting mechanism for automatically and cyclically moving a card vertically to one of two positions, a plurality of punches, a punch actuating means operable independently of said punches and in timed relation with said card shift mechanism, a plurality of interponents all positioned in effective relation with said actuating means and said punches for simultaneous operation when said shifting mechanism is in one position, and a key operated means for selectively maintaining certain of said interponents in effective position when said shifting mechanism is in the'other position.

11. In a perforating and slotting machine of the class described, the combination of a card shifting mechanism for automatically and cyclically moving a card vertically to one of two positions, a plurality of groups of punches, an actuating means common to all of said punches operable independently ofsaid punches and in timed relation with said card shift mechanism, a plurality of groups of interponents all positioned in effective relation with said actuating means and said punchesv for simultaneous operation when said shifting mechanism is in one position, and key-operated means for selectively maintaining certain of said interponents in any group in effective position when said shifting mechanism is in the other position.

12. In a perforating and slotting machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of punches, a cyclically operative punch actuating mechanism, a plurality of interposers positionable torender said punch actuating mechanism effective to operate said punches, a bail member for effectively positioningall of said interposers during a first machine cycle and for releasing said interposers during a second machine cycle, key-.

operated selecting means for retaining certain of said interposers in effective position during said second machine cycle, lockin means for maintaining effective saidselecting means, and manual means for releasing said selecting and locking means.

1 3. In a machine for perforating and slotting cards of index systems, the combination of a plurality of punches, a punch actuating mechanism operable independently of said punches, a. plurality of interponents positionable to render said punch actuating mechanism effective to operate said punches, a card shifting mechanism for shifting a card vertically from a first position to a second position, a bail member constituting a part of said card shifting mechanism adapted to effectively position all of said interponents for simultaneous operation when said card is in said first position, and key-operated means for retaining certain of said interponents ineffective position when said card is in said second position.

14. In a machine for perforating and slotting cards of index systems, the combination of a plurality of punches, a punch actuating mechanism adapted to be automatically operative every machine cycle, a plurality of interponents positionable to render said punch actuating mechanism effective to operate said punches, a vertically movable card support for positioning a card relative to said punches during a first machine cycle, a shifting mechanism for vertically displacing said card support automatically during a second machine cycle, a bail member connected to and coacting with said shifting mechanism for effectively positioning all of said interponents for simultaneous operation during said first machine cycle, and key-operated means for effectively positioning for simultaneous operation selected ones of said interponents during said second machine cyc e.

15. In a machine for perforating and slotting cards of an index system, the combination of a die section, a plurality of punch elements positioned in said die section, a cyclically operative punch actuating mechanism, a plurality of interposing members positionable to render said punch actuating mechanism eifective to operate said punches, a card stop for positioning a card relative to said punches during a first machine cycle a shifting mechanism for displacing said card stopduring alsecond machine: cycle,. a bailimember coacting' with said shifting mechanism and effectively positioning all ofsaid interposingmems bers during a first machine cycle to: effect the simultaneousperforation of said'cardladjacentan' edge, key-operated means for efiectively positioning selected ones of said interposingmembers to effect the n'otching out of the: material betweeni certain of said perforations: and. the card edge during: a second. machine cycle, and manually presettable means for selectively rendering, said interposing members ineffective.

16; In a machine for perforating: and slotting,

cards of an indexis-ystem, the combination: of a die section, plurality of punch: elements positioned in said die section, an independentpun'ch element positioned in said die'sectio'n, a cyclically operative punchlactuating mechanism, aplurality' of. interposing membersladaptedito associate. with saidplurality of. punch elements, an. independent interposing' member adapted to associate with: said independent punchclementell of said interposing members. being positionable to" render said punch; actuating. mechanism effective to operate all of said punch elements, acard: stop for positioning a card relative to said punch elements during a first machine cycle, a card shifting mechanism for displacing saidcard stop during at second. machine cycle, a bail member coacting with said card shifting'mechanism and effectively positioning all of said interposing member's during a first machine cycle for simultaneously operating an of said punch elements to perforate said card adjacent an edge thereof and for operating said independent punch element to perforate a card handling hole, key-operated select-- ing means for effectively positioning one or more of saidlplurality of interponents to render associated punch elements effective to notch out the card material between certain of said perforations. and the card edge during a-second machine cycle,emeans for retracting said selecting means at. theend of saidsecond cycle, key-operated'lock ing means for rendering said retracting means ineffective, manual means for releasing said se lecting and locking means, and manually preset table levers for selectively renderlngsaidipluraleity-of inter-posing members ineffective;

17. In a device for: perforating and. for: slotting: out to an edge file cards in separate stages, a

card shifting mechanism for vertically moving a. file card automatically from one to another. of two positions, a single set of punches supported in fixed coplanar relation, punch'actuating means including selectively settable levers, some-of saidi punches being effective in one" plane to' simul''- taneously perforate said file card with perforations' when the card' is in one position, and" keyboard controlled means for selectivelyrendering" certain of said selected punches in said same; plane effective singularly or combinationallyto slot out to an edge of the card certain ofthe perforations when the card is in the other positions 18'. In a device for perforating and for slotting, out to an edgefile' cards in separate stages; a card shifting mechanism for verticallym'ovlnga file card from one to another of two positions, a single set of punches supported in fixed coplanar-relation arranged in a plurality of groups being ef fective in one plane to simultaneously perforatesaid file card with perforations when it is in one: position, and means'for selectively rendering'one or more of said punches in any group in said same plane effective to slot'out to an edge cer tain of the perforations when the card' is in its other position.

KARL J. BRAUN.

References Cited in the flleofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

